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` Nov. 8, 1927.

J. WAHL ET Al.

WRENCH MECHANISM Filed Jan. 7, 1925 lNVEN RS r ML ML am By' Attorneys,

l Amw m4 4f/IM M www wfmu m um )W 4 VN N w m M W s u s M Patented Nov. 8, i927.

UNITED STATES TOI-IN WAHL AND OTTO MELZER, BROOKLYN',

NEVI YORK, ASSGNORS TO A.

SCI'IRADERS SON, INC., OF BRGOELYN, NEW YRK, A CORPORATON OF NEW YORK.

WRENCH MECI-EANISM.

Application filed JanuaryA This invention relates to a wrench mechanism and aims to provide certain improvements therein.

The object of the invention is to provide a power operable wrench for quickly screwing up nuts on the screw-threaded body portion of a straight or curved valve stein or the like. A fmther object of the invention is to provide means for properly aligning the bridge washer with relation to the pneumatic tube and the bent arm of a valve stem, when such Valve stem is being secured to the tube.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of a driving wrench adapted to be driven by any source of motive` power, means for engaging and holding a valve stem against rotation while the driving wrench runs a nut up on the valve stem, and means for aligning and properly positioning the bridge washer with relation to the pneumatic tube and the bent arm on a valve stem comprising means for holding` the bridge washer against rotation.

A'preferred embodiment of our invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure l shows an axiall section of a wrench mechanism embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 shows a transverse section of the device taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 shows a transverse section taken on the line 22S-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. Il shows in, elevation holding means.

Referring to the drawings, the wrench lnechiu'lisni comprises a base or supljiorting member A provided with suitable bearings l5 and C, within which is mounted a drive mechanism D which operates the driving wrench E.

The drive mechanism D 4may be of any construction, preferably of the adjustable yielding type, and, as herein shown, consists of a cone clutch, one element ot which isa pulley F, one face of which is cut away to provide the conical face Gr, and the other is a laterally adjustable member H provided witha conical face I for cooperation with the face G on the pulley. The pulley F is fixed upon a hollow spindle K and the member H upon a hollow spindle L surrounding the spindle K and separated therefrom by suitable anti-friction means, such as rings M and N. Suitable lubricating means, such the bridge washer 7, 1925. Serial No. 1,025.

as oil 01 grease'eups O, fitted in the bearings B and C provide anecessary lubrication for the spindles K and L.

The driving wrench E consists of a hollow housing or supporting frame P fixed to the hollow spindle L in any desired manner so as to be rotatable therewith, and the front en d of said housing or frame P is provided with or supports a central wrench socket Q, adapted to engage a nut to run the saine up upon a screw-threaded member.

The wrench mechanism is primarily designed to apply nuts on pneumatictire l'valve stems, either straight or bent, in the course ot securing` such stems to pneumatic tire tubes, at which time it is customary to also apply a bridge washer or spreader on the valve stem between the tube and the clamping nut which holds the stem on the tube. formed has opposite fiat faces, best shown in Fig. 3, and the bridge washer S is formed with a central opening of` substantially the saine configuration and size as the cross sectional contour of the'valve stem, so that when it is placed thereon it is non-rotatable on said stem but adapted to easily slide thereover. The bridge washer is also conventionally formed with oppositely inclined, tapered ends or wings s which incline away from the pneumatic tube when aliixed on a valve stem. Because of the form and mounting of the bridge washer, it is adapted to cooperate, with n'ieans preferably positioned adjacent the-wrench socket to hold the valve stem against rotation while the driving wrench runs a nut up on the valve stem.

rThe means referred to consist lof an anguiar bracket T fixed to the base A and having a face plate T formed with a central opening 25 so that the plate may encompass the wrench socket Q and lie substantially flush with the front face thereof. On opposite sides of the central opening t, the plate T is formed with a recess or depression t having the same contour as the wings s of the bridge washer S and adapted to receive said wings and hold the bridge washer against movement with its inner face in con tact with the plate T. A bridge washer mounted upon a valve stem and held with its wings in the depressions will serve to hold the valve stem against rotation when a nut is being screwed thereon by the socket wrench Q. A. bridge washer so hel-d is also The valve stem R as conventionally adapted to further cooperate with means located in back of the wrench socket Q to provide proper alignment for the bridge washer with relation to the pneumatic tube, the flat surfaces on the valve stem and the bent arm of a valve stem.

The means herein shown, provide for the alignment of the bent arm of a valvestem and bridge washer, and consists of a bifurcated bracket U lined against rotation by being secured to a spindle V concentric with the hollow spindles K and L and iiXeol 1n a bearing W carried by the base A, by a set screw w. The bifurcated arms of the bracket U are arranged in alignment with the opening in the socket'niember @and` the inner' left wall orn the bracket (in Fig. 8) bears such relation to the bent arm of the valve stein, when positioned therein, that when said bent arm is in contact therewith, the axis of the bent armV will lie in a plane at right angles to the flat surfaces on the valve stem and the center line of the socket t which holds the bridge washer against movement.

To Jiacilitate the insertion of the bent valvek stem, the lower edges of the bifurca-ted arms are preferably chamfered, as shown at u. A valve stem when so inserted will be prevented from rotating independently of the bridge washer or where no bridge washer is used, when a nut which has been first slipped over the bent arm is run up on the stem by the driving wrench E. Obviously, suitable means may be provided to the rear of the wrench socket to hold a straight valve stem against rotation independently of the bridge washer.

Operation: The yielding cone clutch G, I is the iii-st adjusted to yield or slip ,when a predetermined torque is applied to the member H transmitted by the wrench socket Q; rThe wrench mechanism is then set in rotation by any form of motive power being applied to the pulley l?. A valve stem having its foot portion inserted in the valve opening of an inner tube and a bridge washer S slipped over said stein is then provided with a clamping nut which is started on the screw thread. The end oit the stem and nut are then inserted into the wrench socket Q, and the bridge washer held in the depressions t in the Yface plate T. The bridge Washer, when thus positioned and held, will hold the valve stem against rotation and the socket member will run the nut up on the valve stem into engagement with the bridge washer to clamp the inner tube on the valve stem. ln this operation the operator, of course, will hold the collapsed pneumatic tube so .that the bridge washer will lie parallel with the side of the tube. For this purpose, the top edge 252 of the plate T is made horizontal to act as a guide. This operation, it will be understood, will be equally applicable with straight or bent valve stems. Since there is slight rotational play between the bridge washer and the valve stem, the latter may vary slightly in axial position with relation to the bridge washer, but this is of no practical disadvantage in the case of straight valve stems.

W here it is desired, however, to accurately align all of the parts, we provide a means adapted to engage the nipple end of the valve stem and hold it against turning. This isot most value in connection with bent valve stems where a difference in angular relation would cause the bent nipple end to project slightly out ot plane at right angles to the wheel. Such a means is the bracket U. Obviously, this bracket or its equivalent may be used alone to prevent turning of the valve stem, particularly where no bridge washer is used.

ln the foregoing description it will `be obvious that the bridge washer sockets s will equally well accommodate a spreader, hence, where the term bridge washer isahere used, spreaders are also intended to be covered thereby.

"While we have shown and described the prei-'erred embodiment ot our invention, it will be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the specific disclosure, since modifications thereoi may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

'What we claim is:

l. A wrench mechanism, comprising a driving wrench having a wrench socket, a drive mechanism for said driving wrench and means adjacent the wrench socket adapted to cooperate with a bridge washer on a valve stem to hold the valve stem against rotation while the driving Awrench runs a nut up thereon.

2. A wrench mechanism, comprising a driving wrench, a drive mechanism for said driving wrench, means toiholding a screwthreaded valve stem or the like, having oppositei'lat faces against rotation while the driving wrench runs a nut up on the screw threads olf the valve stem, said means coniprising a member having depressions adapted to receive the wings oi? a bridge washer positioned on the valve stem, said bridge washer having an opening therein and being provided with opposite straight sides engaging over the flat faces on the valve stem.

3. A wrench mechanism, comprising a driving wrench having a wrench socket, a drive mechanism for said driving wrench, a fixed plate having an opening in alignment with the wrench socket, and depressions in the front tace of the plate on opposite sides of. the opening adapted to receive and hold the wings of a bridge washer mounted upon a valve stem, while the driving wrench runs a nut up on the valve stem.

l. A wrench mechanism, comprising a driving wrench having av wrench socket, a

lli() llo drive mechanism for said driving Wrench, a fixed plate having an opening in alignmentwith the Wrench socket, the front tace of the plate lying substantially flush with the front face of the wrench socket, and depressions in the `front iaee of the plate on opposite sides of the opening adapted to receive and hold the wings of a bridge Washer mounted vupon a valve stem, While thedriving Wrench runs a nut up on the valve stem into engagement With the bridge Washer.

5. A wrench mechanism, comprising a driving Wrench consisting of a rotatable supporting frame having at its free end a Wrench socket, a drive mechanism for said supporting traine, and said supporting frame being enlarged in the rear of the Wrench socket and adapted to accommodate the bent arm ot' a bent or curved valve stem or the like While the driving Wrench runs a nut up on the unbent portion of the valve stem.

G. A Wrench mechanism, comprising a drivin Wrench consisting of a rotatable supporting trame adapted to accommodate therein both the unbent and bent portions of a bent or curved valve stem or the like and having at its front a central Wrench socket through Which said bent arm can he inserted into the supporting frame, a yielding drive mechanism for said supporting trame and a stationary abutment Within said supporting frame to the rear of the Wrench socket for holding the bent arm of a bent or curved valve stem or the like against rotation While the driving wrench runs a nut up on the unbent portion of the valve stem.

7. A Wrench mechanism, comprising a driving Wrench, a drive mechanism for said driving Wrench7 means for holding a bent valve stem or the like against rotation While the driving Wrench runs a nut up on the unbent portion of the valve stem, and means for aligning a bridge Washer on the valve stem with relation to a pneumatic tube to which the valve stem is connected and to the bent arm of the valve stem.

8. A Wrench mechanism, comprising a driving Wrench, a drive mechanism for said driving wrench, an abutment for holding a bent valve stem or the like against rotation while the driving Wrench runs a nut up on the unbent portion of the valve stem, and means 'for aligning a bridge Washer on the valve stem with relation to a pneumatic tube to which the valve stem is connected and to the bent arm of the valve stem, said means comprising said abutment against Which the bent arm oi the valve stem abuts and a member having depressions for holding the bridge Washer against rotation.

In Witness whereof, We have hereunto signed our names.

JOHN WAHL. OTTO MELZER. 

